After last week's appetizer, the main course of the 2016 football season is finally on the table with 26 area teams in action this week.
While there is only one region matchup on tap -- Prince Avenue Christian traveling to Riverside Military Academy in Region 8-A -- the week is highlighted by some traditional (and currently non-region) rivalries like West Hall-Johnson, White County-Lumpkin County, Stephens County-Franklin County, and Banks County-Commerce.
But none may match this week's AccessWDUN Game of the Week when North Hall and Flowery Branch renew a relatively young but certainly hostile rivalry for the the first time since 2009. (NOTE: To watch a video preview of the Falcons-Trojans game, click here.) The Trojans already have a game in hand but needed every thing they had to hold off rival Chestatee, 35-28, in their opener. It will be the Falcons' season opener, and they are ready to show off dynamic players like receiver Malik Drayton.
Teams like Gainesville, which takes on Alpharetta, and Lanier, which takes on South Gwinnett, face some tough challenges. Chestatee and East Hall also will meet at Valhalla in a matchup of programs looking to erase tough losses last week. The War Eagles are trying to snap an 18-game losing streak as well.
It also will be interesting to see how Mill Creek -- fresh off its impressive takedown of two-time defending state champion Colquitt County last week in the Georgia Dome -- handles its new-found scrutiny as a state title contending team when it plays host to Stephenson.
For a look at all of the night's contests involving area teams, simply scroll down. And be sure to check back with AccessWDUN's Friday Game Night throughout the night for score updates and game stories and video highlights. You can also check for scores and highlights on our Twitter feed: @FridayGameNight
HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SCHEDULE, WEEK 1, Aug. 26
(Games listed in alphabetical order of visiting team)
ALPHARETTA at GAINESVILLE
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: City Park Stadium, Gainesville
-- RADIO: 1240 ESPN Radio
-- ALPHARETTA (0-1, 0-0 Region 7-AAAAAA): Lost 14-12 to Milton last week
-- GAINESVILLE (1-0, 0-0 Region 8-AAAAAA): Defeated West Hall 20-10 last week
-- NOTABLE: First-ever meeting between the two schools. ... It looked like a typical opener last week for the Red Elephants. The offense had some big plays and the defense was fast to the ball. But nearly 150 yards in penalties hurt them on offense and kept the defense on the field too many times. ... DJ Irons looked comfortable at QB for GHS throwing for 298 yards and had some weapons in WR Martavius Davis and RB Kadarius Smith. ... Region 7-AAAAAA had a rough start in Week 0 going a combined 0-6 last week. Region 8-AAAAAA went 3-1. ... The Red Elephants are 17-3 in their last 20 home games (losses to Lanier, Grayson, Buford). However, the Raiders have been road warriors going 11-3 away from home over the past three seasons. (NOTE: Click here to read a Q&A with Gainesville coach Bruce Miller on this week's matchup.)
BANKS COUNTY at COMMERCE
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Tiger Field at Ray Lamb Stadium, Commerce
-- BANKS COUNTY (0-1, 0-0 Region 8-AA): Lost 21-16 to Jackson County last week
-- COMMERCE (0-0, 0-0 Region 8-A): Season-opener for the Tigers
-- NOTABLE: Commerce leads series 28-2. The Tigers won 55-13 last year and have won 13 straight over the Leopards. ... The Leopards have never beaten Commerce in Commerce (0-15) in the series. Banks County’s last win in the series came in 1992 (28-0) in Homer. ... The close loss for the Leopards had its silver lining in that they battled back from a 14-0 deficit to take a 16-14 lead late. But they also gave up a TD in the waning seconds. ... Commerce is 14-5 in their last 19 openers, with all five losses coming against rival Jefferson. The Tigers are 14-0 vs. everyone else in openers since 1994. They are 12-4 at home under Michael Brown with three losses coming against Jefferson and Prince Avenue.
CHESTATEE at EAST HALL
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: East Hall Stadium, Rabbittown
-- CHESTATEE (0-1, 0-0 Region 7-AAAA): Lost 35-28 to North Hall last week
-- EAST HALL (0-1, 0-0 Region 7-AAA): Lost 45-13 to Habersham Central last week
-- NOTABLE: Series tied 2-2. The two teams have not meet since 2007, a 47-14 Chestatee win at War Eagle Stadium. ... Both teams are coming off losses in different fashion. The Vikings fell behind 31-0 and never recovered in a game many expected them to be the favorite. The War Eagles came into their first game with a new coach and sporting a new offensive system and took North Hall down the wire in a game many expected the Trojans to dominate. ... Both teams are in need of a win as they try to build momentum heading toward region schedules. The Vikings managed just 9 yards rushing last week but figure to have better success vs. a Chestatee defense that allowed 368 yards on the ground to North Hall. ... Storm Yarbrough and Baylee Camp proved a potent combination last week for Chestatee with Yarbrough throwing for 205 yards, five of those to Camp for 125 yards.
FORSYTH CENTRAL at DAWSON COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Tiger Stadium, Dawsonville
-- RADIO: Northgeorgiasportslink.com
-- FORSYTH CENTRAL (0-0, 0-0 5-AAAAAAA): Season-opener
-- DAWSON COUNTY (0-0, 0-0 Region 7-AAA): Season-opener
-- NOTABLE: Forsyth Central leads series 8-5. The Bulldogs won 28-8 last year in Dawsonville. ... The two teams have split the past 10 meetings since the series resumed in 2002 after a 30-year hiatus. ... The Tigers are ready to get going on Year 2 under Sid Maxwell, who guided them to the first-ever quarterfinal appearance in 2015. Junior QB Coey Watson returns as does leading receiver Austin Young to give them a solid tandem on offense. ... The Dawson offense vs. the Bulldogs defense may be the key in this one. The Bulldogs in 2015 allowed 31.1 ppg in their 6 losses and gave up just 39 total points (9.2 ppg) in their four wins. Dawson County averaged 29.9 ppg last year but are replacing 7 starters this season.
GILMER at UNION COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Mike Colwell Memorial Stadium, Blairsville
-- GILMER (0-1, 0-0 Region 6-AAAA): Lost 17-14 to Fannin County last week
-- UNION COUNTY (0-0, 0-0 Region 7-AAA): Season opener
-- NOTABLE: Gilmer leads series 8-6. It’s the first meeting between the two teams since 1997, a 33-7 win for the Bobcats. Gilmer has won the last four encounters. ... Gilmer is sporting a new coach Jason Gault, formerly of North Forsyth, and is the only team in 6-AAAA not to win in its opener last week as the region went 6-1 overall. ... Union County will begin the Cole Wright era at QB with the graduated Joe Mancuso now at Richmond. The Panthers do return 12 other starters, including several key defensive players, and are looking to build some confidence in non-region contests before opening region play against GAC next month.
LAKEVIEW ACADEMY at EAST JACKSON
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: East Jackson Stadium, Commerce
-- LAKEVIEW ACADEMY (0-0, 0-0 Region 8-A): Season opener
-- EAST JACKSON (0-1, 0-0 Region 8-AAA): Lost 17-7 to Hebron Christian last week
-- NOTABLE: East Jackson leads series 2-0. The Eagles won 21-16 in 2015. ... The Lions are just 2-6 in season openers since beginning varsity play in 2008 and have lost three straight. The Eagles are just 2-5 all-time vs. Region 8-A opponents but both wins have come against Lakeview. ... The Lions will trot out their new spread offense under new QB Alec Bornhorst for real this week after putting up 28 points in a scrimmage against Riverside Military last week. ... The Eagles are trying to avoid their first 0-2 start since 2012.
LANIER at SOUTH GWINNETT
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Snellville
-- LANIER (1-0, 0-0 Region 8-AAAAAA): Defeated Northview 34-13 last week.
-- SOUTH GWINNETT (1-0, 0-0 Region 8-AAAAAAA): Defeated Central Gwinnett 54-21 last week.
-- NOTABLE: First-ever meeting between the two Gwinnett County schools. ... Lanier’s defense, despite several key changes, picked up right it left off last year dominating the Northview offense, including a shutout in the first half. The Comets offense will be a tough test as they ran for 390 yards in their win over Central Gwinnett. ... The Longhorns offense was stellar in the first half piling up nearly 300 yards of offense and 27 points behind Marcko Baity, who finished the game with 268 yards rushing and 3 TDs. But, they had four turnovers in the second half. ... It is also an historic game for the Longhorns, who will playing their first-ever game against another Gwinnett County opponent.
MADISON COUNTY at JACKSON COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Panther Stadium, Jefferson
-- MADISON COUNTY (0-0, 0-0 Region 8-AAAA): Season opener
-- JACKSON COUNTY (1-0, 0-0 Region 8-AAA): Defeated Banks County 21-16 last week
-- NOTABLE: Madison County leads series 11-1. Jackson County beat the Red Raiders for the first time in 2015, 48-23. ... The Panthers piled up over 300 yards rushing behind junior RB Noah Venable (150 yards, 1 TD) and got an efficient game from QB Caleb Matthews (6-11, 96 yards, 2 TD) who found a favorite target in Zane Corley (4 rec, 85 yards, 1 TD). ... Jackson County also is looking for its second consecutive 2-0 start. ... Madison County is just 2-6 in their last 8 season openers. ... The Red Raiders are 1-6 in their last 7 road games.
MILTON at NORTH GWINNETT
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Suwanee
-- MILTON (1-0, 0-0 Region 5-AAAAAAA): Defeated Alpharetta 14-12 last week
-- NORTH GWINNETT (0-1, 0-0 Region 6-AAAAAAA): Lost 37-23 to Brookwood last week
-- NOTABLE: North Gwinnett County leads series 1-0. The Bulldogs won their only meeting in 2013, 34-10, in the first round of the playoffs. ... North Gwinnett will be trying to avoid its first 0-2 start since 2003 and the first under Bob Sphire. ... Turnovers were huge for North Gwinnett last week. Bulldogs QB Cade Fortin was up-and-down in his opener throwing for 220 yards and 2 TDs but also had 3 INTs, including a pick-6 that denied a possible score to tie the game late and seal Brookwood’s win. The offense also lost one fumble. ... Milton was shutout in the second half against a good Alpharetta defense but the Eagles also never trailed in the game. ... North Gwinnett could use some momentum before the tough stretch of non-region games continues the next two weeks against Hillgrove and Norcross.
NORTH FORSYTH at JOHNS CREEK
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Johns Creek
-- NORTH FORSYTH (1-0, 0-0 Region 5-AAAAAAA): Defeated Sequoyah 34-14 last week.
-- JOHNS CREEK (0-1, 0-0 Region 7-AAAAAA): Lost 27-13 to Lassiter last week.
-- NOTABLE: Series is tied 2-2. Johns Creek won 17-14 in 2015. The last two meetings have been decided by four total points. ... The Raiders got off to a great start under new coach Robert Craft. Junior QB Ben Bales threw for 248 yards and 4 TDs in their new spread attack offense. The Raiders defense also held Sequoyah to just 157 total yards and one touchdown after giving up a kickoff return for a TD to open the game. ... North Forsyth is looking for its first 2-0 start since 2013. ... Johns Creek is trying to avoid its fourth straight 0-2 start to a season. (NOTE: Click here to read a preview of the Raiders' matchup with Johns Creek.)
NORTH HALL at FLOWERY BRANCH
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Falcon Field, Flowery Branch
-- RADIO: 102.9 FM
-- NORTH HALL (1-0, 0-0 Region 7-AAA): Defeated Chestatee 35-28 last week
-- FLOWERY BRANCH (0-0, 0-0 Region 8-AAAAA): Season opener
-- NOTABLE: North Hall leads series 6-2. The two teams have not met since 2009, a 37-34 North Hall win at The Brickyard. ... The Falcons have not beaten the Trojans since 2008, a 35-7 win at Falcons Field. Both of The Branch’s wins in the series have come at home. ... It renews what had been a very tense rivalry. Despite being a non-region game for both it could help set the tone for both teams for the rest of the 2016 season. ... North Hall is looking for its first 2-0 start since 2013 as it tries to gain momentum for a run to a second straight playoff appearance. The Falcons missed out on the playoffs in 2015 by just 6 points and are looking for their third straight win to open a season as they build toward a tough region slate. ... The Trojans got a big game from RB Kyle Baucus (187 yards rushing, 3 TDs) last week but also had to hang on at the end after letting a 21-7 halftime lead slip away. ... The Branch is coming in a with a new OL but also returns a pair of signal callers in Kory Graham and Nick Lance, who are expected to share QB duties. The Falcons also may have one of the fastest and most dynamic players in northeast Georgia in Malik Drayton, who is expected to play multiple positions on offense.
PRINCE AVENUE CHRISTIAN at RIVERSIDE MILITARY ACADEMY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Maginnis Field, Gainesville
-- PRINCE AVENUE CHRISTIAN (0-0, 0-0 Region 8-A): Defeated Aquinas 35-14 last week
-- RIVERSIDE MILITARY ACADEMY (0-0, 0-0 Region 8-A): Season opener
-- NOTABLE: Prince Avenue leads series 2-0. First meeting between the two teams since 2011, a 48-25 win for the Wolverines. ... It will the Region 8-A opener for both teams as well. The Wolverines have been the gold standard in 8-A since 2011 with five straight trips to the state quarterfinals or better. It will be a huge test for an Eagles team trying to reestablish itself after a couple of lean years. However, Riverside does have four straight winnable games following the opener that could help put them in the playoff race. ... The Eagles could have a much-improved offense in 2016 behind new sophomore QB Isaac Teasley (Gainesville transfer) to go with athletic receivers Javon Thompson, Charles Dimwaobi, and Lyle Lopez. RMA scored just 71 total points in 2015. ... The RMA defense returns 5 starters but faces a Wolverines attack that averaged 41 ppg and scored 40 or more 10 times in 2015.
RABUN COUNTY at MT. PISGAH CHRISTIAN
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Mt. Pisgah Stadium, Alpharetta
-- RABUN COUNTY (0-0, 0-0 Region 8-AA): Season opener
-- MT. PISGAH CHRISTIAN (1-0, 0-0 Region 6-A): Defeated Holy Innocents 43-36 last week
-- NOTABLE: Series is tied 1-1. Rabun County won 35-10 in 2015. The road team has won both meetings in this brief series with the Patriots winning in Tiger in 2014. ... The Wildcats are anxious to get a new era without graduated star Charlie Woerner, now at Georgia, under way. They still have plenty of firepower, however, in senior QB Bailey Fisher and an experienced OL led by Peyton Backer. Look for senior RB Cal Drummond and senior WR Noah Cannon to begin what they hope will be breakout seasons. ... The Patriots had a wild opener building a 28-14 halftime lead but then survived a 20-point fourth quarter by Holy Innocents to get the victory.
RIVER RIDGE at APALACHEE
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: R. Harold Harrison Stadium, Winder
-- RIVER RIDGE (1-0, 0-0 6-AAAAAA): Defeated Woodland (Cartersville) 36-8 last week
-- APALACHEE (0-0, 0-0 Region 8-AAAAAA): Season opener
-- NOTABLE: First-ever meeting between the two schools. ... The Wildcats are hoping the return of 16 starters and a second season under Steve Sims will be just what they need to break an 11-game losing streak during a stretch where they have gone 1-29 since a 5-5 season in 2012. ... River Ridge is proof that things can turn around. Last week’s win for the Knights was their second straight after a 14-game losing streak going back to the 2014 season. ... Apalachee has a potential star in senior RB Stephon Massillon, who will be running behind an experienced OL. ... The Wildcats first two opponents were a combined 2-18 last year and then they follow with first-year program Discovery so they have a chance to build momentum heading into what will be a tough region schedule.
RIVERWOOD at JEFFERSON
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Memorial Stadium, Jefferson
-- RIVERWOOD (0-0, 0-0 Region 6-AAAAA): Season opener
-- JEFFERSON (1-0, 0-0 Region 8-AAAA): Defeated Discovery 48-0 last week
-- NOTABLE: First-ever meeting between the two schools. ... It is the first of four straight games for the Dragons vs. teams that posted winning records in 2015. The Raiders posted a 5-1 region record last season but lost a playoff spot on tiebreakers and return several key starters from last year’s squad. ... Jefferson used a big, experienced OL line to open holes for Colby Wood and the run game, which produced 235 yards rushing last week. QB Bryce Moore tossed one touchdown pass to Wood and the defense picked off three Discovery passes. ... The Dragons cannot afford to be caught looking ahead to traditional state power Thomson next week but expect coach Ben Hall and staff to have them ready. ... Jefferson has won 9 straight home openers. The Dragons last loss in a home opener was in 2005 to White County, 21-0. They tied Johnson 7-7 in 2006.
STEPHENS COUNTY at FRANKLIN COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Ed Bryant Stadium, Carnesville
-- STEPHENS COUNTY (0-0, 0-0 Region 8-AAAA): Season opener
-- FRANKLIN COUNTY (1-0, 0-0 Region 8-AAA): Defeated White County 26-7 last week
-- NOTABLE: Stephens County leads 37-10-1. The Indians won 34-7 in 2015 in one of the oldest rivalries in northeast Georgia. The two teams have played every year but two (1998-99) since 1966. ... The Indians are 18-3 vs. the Lions since Franklin County posted three straight wins from 1984-86. ... It has not been a close series either with only 10 games total decided by a touchdown or less. ... The Lions traditionally have not been fast starters and their win last week was their first to open a season since 2008, also a win over White County. ... The Indians will rely on a defense that returns 7 starters and it will need to carry them early while the offense breaks in a new OL. ... The Lions have not opened a season 2-0 since 1990. Stephens County has won four straight season openers.
STEPHENSON at MILL CREEK
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Mill Creek Community Stadium, Hoschton
-- STEPHENSON (0-1, 0-0 Region 4-AAAAAA): Lost 34-23 to Cedar Grove last week
-- MILL CREEK (1-0, 0-0 Region 6-AAAAAAA): Ranked No. 2 in Class AAAAAAA; defeated No. 3 Colquitt County 34-27 last week
-- NOTABLE: First-ever meeting between the two schools. ... The Hawks got their signature win last week avenging a semifinal loss and ending a 3-game losing streak to the Packers as well as their 30-game win streak. The win puts the Hawks among the teams in the early conversation to win a state title in the largest classification. ... Stephenson is one of the perennial powers in the state having advanced to the playoffs for 16 straight seasons. The Jaguars also are tough on the road going 10-4 in their last 14 road games going back to 2013.
WALNUT GROVE at WINDER-BARROW
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: W. Clair Harris Stadium, Winder
-- WALNUT GROVE (0-0, 0-0 Region 8-AAAAA): Season opener
-- WINDER-BARROW (0-1, 0-0 Region 8-AAAAAA): Lost 31-0 to Clarke Central last week
-- NOTABLE: First-ever meeting between the two schools. ... It was not the kind of start the the Bulldoggs were looking for, especially with a group that is wanting to show they were more than the CeCe Green Show the last two seasons. The offense struggled and suffered its first shutout since 2013. ... The Warriors have won two straight season openers and are a program some feel are ready to make a run at their first-ever postseason. After posting just five wins in their first five seasons, they have won 10 games the past two seasons. ... Winder has been tough at home the past two seasons going 7-3 with the three losses to Lanier, Gainesville, and Jefferson.
WEST HALL at JOHNSON
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Bill Ellis Memorial Stadium, Oakwood
-- RADIO: WDUN AM 550
-- WEST HALL (0-1, 0-0 Region 7-AAAA): Lost 20-10 to Gainesville last week
-- JOHNSON (0-1, 0-0 Region 8-AAAAA): Lost 19-14 to Social Circle last week
-- NOTABLE: West Hall leads series 14-7-1. The Spartans won 35-9 in 2015 and have won three straight and 4 of the last 5 in the series. The Knights, however, are 4-2 vs. West Hall at home since 2004. ... The Spartans defense played well in holding down the Red Elephants offense garnering 5 sacks and getting a defensive score on a fumble recovery for a TD. But, the offense managed just one field goal despite Tyrese Osborne gaining 112 yards on the ground. ... Johnson was plagued by bad weather and poor field conditions and a much-improved Social Circle team on the road.
WHITE COUNTY at LUMPKIN COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: The Burial Grounds, Dahlonega
-- RADIO: www.wrwh.com/northgeorgiasportslink.com
-- WHITE COUNTY (0-1, 0-0 Region 7-AAAA): Lost 26-7 to Franklin County last week
-- LUMPKIN COUNTY (0-0, 0-0 Region 7-AAA): Season opener
-- NOTABLE: White County leads series 34-11-1. White County won the last meeting 31-0 in 2013. Eight of the Indians 11 wins have come at The Burial Grounds and they are 4-4 at home since 1994. ... Another of the long northeast Georgia rivalries. The two teams met every year from 1964 to 2001 but region changes have had them play just eight times since then. ... The Warriors had a disappointing showing last week. They had trouble stopping the Lions ground game and now will have to face the Indians “Broken Bone” version of the old wishbone. ... Lumpkin County is looking for a quick start after a step back in 2015 after making the playoffs in 2014 for the first time since 2003.
